Puerto Rico Travel Guide
Tags: Morgans Hotel Group / San Juan Hotels / Hotel Renovations / → All Tags
Morgans Hotel Group To Take Over San Juan Water and Beach Club
It's a San Juan-derful day! Ok lame puns aside there is some interesting news in San Juan, Puerto Rico today. First, we learned about the San Juan Marriott's YouTube Concierge and then a tipster pointed us to this press release that announced Morgans Hotel Group would be taking over the San Juan Water and Beach Club Hotel next week. The former managers were Desires Hotels.
The hotel will remain open as it undergoes renovations to transform it into a Morgans Hotel-branded property that will "boost travel and attract a more hip, rich and famous crowd." Our tipster wondered, "Rehab Puerto Rico?" Oh god, we hope not. Then again, we sort of hope so. It's a trainwreck we can't help but watch.
[Photo: San Juan Water Club's Facebook]
Tags: W Hotels / Puerto Rico Hotels / Hotel Openings / → All Tags
Now, What's Going On with the W Vieques?
When we last reported on the W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island, it was to report on its “Talent Show” search to fill 250 jobs. The hotel was looking to open in mid-November, which is still the promise plastered across the Puerto Rican property’s Starwood site. (November 19, to be exact.) Scroll down a little, though, and you’ll notice this message: “Hotel Opens November 19. Taking Reservations April 1, 2010.”
Then when you click through to the “Hotel Offers” page, they tantalize us with mentions of Spa Chakra and Alain Ducasse cuisine, and then tell us the hotel is “now accepting reservations for arrivals January 1st, 2010 and beyond...” So, which is it? November, January, or April?
Tags: Puerto Rico Hotels / Hotel Activities / Free Stuff / → All Tags
Gran Meliá Puerto Rico Offers Star Tours Without Leaving the Beach
Clear skies above the Gran Meliá resort offer ideal conditions for stargazing
You say Ursa Major, I say Ursa Minor; let's call the whole thing off. Actually, don't, especially not if you're stargazing in Puerto Rico. The country's Gran Meliá resort is capitalizing on its remote location to push a vacation activity that Copernicus would have approved of: star spotting (and we're not talking the Hollywood variety) and astronomy lessons on the beach with an expert to point out everything from Cassiopeia to Orion, and everything in between.
Gran Meliá is a decidedly anti-urban resort that has largely built its reputation on being "green." Located a short drive away from San Juan, the hotel has banned motorized water sports, has trained staff to keep the beach pristine, and they have instituted a conservation program for said beaches. Without towering skyscrapers, apartment complexes, and city smog polluting (pun intended) sky views, spotting constellations is markedly easier than in San Juan proper.
Tags: Hotel Pools / Cabanas / Puerto Rico Hotels / Mancations / → All Tags
El San Juan Puerto Rico is Bringing Back The Mancation
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the mancation has returned!
Summer’s officially over this weekend. But you know who’s not all torn up about it? NFL fans. Fall means football—and all the eating, drinking, and male bonding that comes with it.
The folks at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino in Puerto Rico know this. That’s why, with the season kicking off next Thursday, they’re promoting their cabanas to football fans.
They claim spending a game day inside one of their poolside cabanas is the “ultimate mancation,” which, frankly, hurts our feelings. We too are football fans, even if we’re female. (Maybe they could have gone with “fancation”? Or, better yet, just done away with this tiresome -cation trend altogether.)
Tags: Facebook Hotels / Wyndham Hotels / Puerto Rico Hotels / → All Tags
Rio Mar Beach Resort Gives Hefty Discount to Facebook Pals
We can't promise you this pool will have empty lounge chairs when you get there.
Here's a status update you won't mind getting on your Facebook news feed: Wyndham's Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa in Puerto Rico is giving its FB fans 40 percent off on stays during August and September.
Sign up on its Facebook page and you'll get a room for $119 per night. The deal can be booked through Aug. 31 by calling (866) 624-7926; just be sure to mention the fan discount. The fine print is that rates are subject to availability, blackout dates may apply and, obvs, you must be an FB fan.
There's a lot to be a fan of at this hotel, since it sits between the lush El Yunque National Rainforest and the scenic Atlantic shoreline. And its Facebook page says it just got a new beachside fire pit, where you can partake in everything from salsa lessons to eating s’mores. Now back to Facebook—we have to update our status to “Wishing we were in Puerto Rico.”
[Photo: Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa]Tags: Hotel Restaurants / Alain Ducasse / Hotel News / W Hotels / Hotel Openings / → All Tags
Alain Ducasse Will Head Up the Kitchen at W Vieques
W Vieques, slated to open up in November (November 19th, to be precise), is notable for a handful of reasons: it's the first W "Retreat & Spa" in the Caribbean. It sits on a 55 square-mile island. And now it boasts a celeb-ish chef.
Chef Alain Ducasse has been announced as the man with the plan: heading up the kitchen at the W, his first Caribbean location, he'll be doing his part to make miX on the beach (spelling left annoyingly lower-case) a destination in itself. Expect "Latino Caribbean flavors with an artful French twist" in the restaurant — which will complement an entire beverage & food program across the resort, created by Ducasse himself.
miX will also offer a selection of local produce from its own garden: papaya, avocado, cashew fruit, tamarind, starfruit, guava, and more — with ocean views to enjoy as you trade fun Ducasse facts (like this one: he is the only chef in the world to operate three signature restaurants each honored with three Michelin stars).
Check out more specs on the W Vieques here.
Tags: Regent Hotels / Puerto Rico Hotels / Hotel Hype / → All Tags
Regent Breaks Ground in Puerto Rico; Will They Break the Deal, Too?
Regent Hotels broke ground last week at what will (probably) be the Regent Palmas del Mar Puerto Rico come December 2011.
We say probably because we haven't got a whole lotta faith left in Regent Hotels and their properties--remember they palmed a few places off to Vincci Hotels and Four Seasons and didn't even finish building the Boston Battery Wharf property before they dropped out of the deal.
Assuming Regent sees this one through, the Regent Palmas del Mar will be a 150-roomer about half an hour away from San Juan. It'll have plenty of the usual resort trappings and included in the spa complex will be five over-water spa suites, which we like the sound of. And you'll be able to get married there with a chapel and ballroom just ready for vows. But be warned, anything could happen between now and December 2011.
[Photo: anaivette64]
Tags: Snapshot / Puerto Rico Hotels / Hotel Bars / HotelChatter Flickr Pool / → All Tags
Snapshot :: San Juan Water and Beach Club's Rooftop Bar
Thanks to CourtneyMay who put this snapshot in the HotelChatter Flickr Pool, we are now entirely unsatisfied with sitting at our desks today.
This is the view from Wet, the San Juan Water & Beach Club's rooftop bar and lounge. Touted as San Juan's "only luxury boutique hotel on the beach," it has a swanky rooftop hotspot that serves up kickass views -- and also a delicious drink we want in our hot little fingers right now: the "COCO Nuts Martini." It's 4 oz COCO Vodka, 2 oz Flavored Coconut Rum, and 1 oz Coco Cream. Yes, please.
Tags: Jason Pomeranc / Thompson Hotels / Hotel Hype / Puerto Rico / Thompson-Hotels-Map / → All Tags
Thompson Hotels Says Puerto Rico, Suave...Maybe
Where: Puerto Rico
Click to Go Straight to the Thompson Hotels Map
Seoul is not enough for the insatiable Thompson Hotels group. The company might be headed for Puerto Rico. Hola!
We actually heard this rumor a few months back but didn't know what to make of it. Nor would anyone verify it for us. But in this recent T+L article on a day in the life of Jason Pomeranc, we learn Thompson has its sights set on San Juan.
Next stop; the Chelsea-based architecture and interior design firm Studio Gaia, to look at renderings of upcoming Thompson Hotels in Toronto, Seoul, and San Juan. Pomeranc pores over the details of his Canadian property---everything from the type of projector they'll put in the movie screening room to the atmosphere of a private, members-only club he's creating.
Bonus! Now we know a little bit more about what to expect inside Thompson Toronto as well. However, Thompson Hotels wouldn't confirm whether or not Puerto Rico was a possibility so we're still really nowhere on this location.
Also anyone dreaming of being a hotelier, should read this article and then start working hard at owning hotels. Jason's day at work sounds kinda amazing.
Tags: Puerto Rico Hotels / Hotel Bars / Hotel Restaurants / Hotel News / Hotel Openings / → All Tags
El San Juan Hotel Goes Fratty :: Did Someone Say "Brodeo"?
Calling all sweet bros! El San Juan Resort and Casino down in Puerto Rico has announced the launch of the very first Brother Jimmy's BBQ outside of NYC. Translation: legend...wait for it...dary.
The South Carolina barbecue joint (slash fratty, fratty bar-like hangout) opened its doors to the sweet bros of the non-NYC world on September 6th to position itself as the ideal place for eager San Juan-er's to kick off the football season. The 220-seat rooftop hotspot boasts a Backyard Movie House, "Swamp Water" Cocktail Bar, a mechanical bull and 22 HD flatscreens.
No, did you read that? A mechanical bull. Did someone say brodeo?
Tags: Snapshot / Puerto Rico Hotels / Hotel Bars / → All Tags
Snapshot :: GQ Vibe at El San Juan Peurto Rico
A couple of years ago, GQ recommended El San Juan in Puerto Rico to readers looking for a "Havana 1959" vibe.
Reader B sent in this snapshot of the place from a recent trip down to PR -- and it looks hot and sexy, for sure, but maybe not so much old Havana. It looks more, well -- GQ.
But don't forget: we wrote up this hotel a while back to warn of sneaky surcharges -- so maybe this is just a hot bar to grab a drink and not stay the night. Unless you're staying the night in someone else's room, of course. Stud.
Tags: Killer View / Puerto Rico Hotels / → All Tags
Room With a Killer View: Ocean and More Ocean from Condado Plaza
We are suckers for a room with a killer view. We find that we are even more likely to forgive some minor hotel inconveniences if we can stare out the window at something pretty--yeah we are that shallow. Let's help out our fellow hotel mavens by uploading rooms with killer views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. We will feature our favorites in this space from time to time. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number of the hot view.
With thanks to HotelChatter tipster Michelle, we're pretty happy to bring you a rather nice killer view from Room 1020 of the Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We're big fans of views of vast oceans, they seem to free our minds up so much ... and a few romantically waving palm trees in the distance are also good for the soul.
Apparently the hotel, which has just been renovated, is the only one that boasts views over the ocean as well as the Condado Lagoon, so it sounds like a large proportion of their rooms will have some kind of pretty impressive view.
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